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Cameroon's Interior Minister Paul Atanga Nji has declared that opposition leader Issa Tchiroma Bakary will be prosecuted over accusations that he instigated "violent electoral rallies".

At least 4 protesters have been fatally wounded during clashes between law enforcement and demonstrators since the electoral process on 12 October, with 92-year-old President Paul Biya securing an eighth presidential mandate.

Tchiroma Bakary maintains that he was the true winner, a assertion rejected by the governing party, the CPDM.

Violent crackdowns by law enforcement on demonstrators have concerned the international community, with the UN, AU and European Union demanding caution.

Minister's Claims

On Tuesday, Nji accused the opposition figure of organising what he referred to as "unauthorized" demonstrations causing the fatalities, and also condemned him for announcing success in the election.

He added that the opposition leader's "co-conspirators responsible for an rebellious scheme" will also undergo judicial processes.

Election Results

The president, who came to power in the early 80s and is now the world's oldest head of state, secured the 12 October vote with a majority of the votes, compared to just over a third for his opponent, according to Cameroon's Constitutional Council.

Opposition Response

Issa Tchiroma is yet to respond to the authorities' move to bring him to court, but he had earlier announced that he rejected a rigged election - and that he was undaunted of being arrested.

When results were announced, he said that gunmen opened fire on protesters assembled near his residence in Garoua, causing the death of at least two individuals.

Probe Launched

Earlier this week, the interior minister disclosed that an investigation would be launched into unrest surrounding the declaration of the election results.

"In the course of these incidents, some of the criminals lost their lives," he said, without providing a specific number of protesters who have been lost their lives in the incidents.

The minister further mentioned that multiple officers of the police and military also sustained significant wounds.

Current Situation

While the interior minister asserted the condition nationwide was now stable, demonstrators are still demonstrating in various areas of the country, especially in these two cities, where protesters mounted obstructions on Tuesday, and ignited tyres on the roads.

Observers warn that the political turmoil could plunge the country into a governmental instability.